bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Nov. 23, 2023
The
emergence
of
SARS-CoV-2
lineages
derived
from
Omicron,
including
BA.2.86
(nicknamed
“Pirola”)
and
its
relative,
JN.1,
has
raised
concerns
about
their
potential
impact
on
public
personal
health
due
to
numerous
novel
mutations.
Despite
this,
predicting
implications
based
solely
mutation
counts
proves
challenging.
Empirical
evidence
JN.1’s
increased
immune
evasion
capacity
in
relation
previous
variants
is
mixed.
To
improve
predictions
beyond
what
possible
counts,
we
conducted
extensive
silico
analyses
the
binding
affinity
between
RBD
different
(Wuhan-Hu-1,
BA.1/B.1.1.529,
BA.2,
XBB.1.5,
BA.2.86,
JN.1)
neutralizing
antibodies
vaccinated
or
infected
individuals,
as
well
human
angiotensin-converting
enzyme
2
(ACE2)
receptor.
We
observed
no
statistically
significant
difference
JN.1
other
variants.
Therefore,
conclude
that
new
have
pronounced
escape
infection
compared
However,
minor
reductions
for
both
ACE2
were
noted
JN.1.
discuss
findings
highlight
need
modeling
docking
studies
go
above
basic
serological
neutralization
analysis.
Future
research
this
area
will
benefit
structural
memory
B-cell
should
emphasize
importance
choosing
appropriate
samples
assess
protection
provided
by
vaccination
infection.
More-over,
fitness
benefits
genomic
variation
outside
be
investigated.
This
contributes
understanding
variants’
health.
Taken
together,
work
introduces
a
paradigm
functional
epidemiology
ongoing
efforts
combat
evolving
pandemic
prepare
hazards.
Cell Reports,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
42(12), P. 113444 - 113444
Published: Nov. 18, 2023
The
severe
acute
respiratory
syndrome
coronavirus
2
(SARS-CoV-2)
Omicron
variant
of
concern,
first
identified
in
November
2021,
rapidly
spread
worldwide
and
diversified
into
several
subvariants.
spike
(S)
protein
accumulated
an
unprecedented
number
sequence
changes
relative
to
previous
variants.
In
this
review,
we
discuss
how
S
structural
features
modulate
host
cell
receptor
binding,
virus
entry,
immune
evasion
highlight
these
differentiate
from
We
also
examine
key
properties
track
across
the
still-evolving
subvariants
importance
continuing
surveillance
evolution
over
time.
Current Opinion in Virology,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
62, P. 101349 - 101349
Published: Aug. 28, 2023
SARS
coronavirus
2
(SARS-CoV-2),
the
causative
agent
of
COVID-19,
emerged
in
China
December
2019.
Vaccines
developed
were
very
effective
initially,
however,
virus
has
shown
remarkable
evolution
with
multiple
variants
spreading
globally
over
last
three
years.
Nowadays,
newly
emerging
Omicron
lineages
are
gaining
substitutions
at
a
fast
rate,
resulting
escape
from
neutralization
by
antibodies
that
target
Spike
protein.
Tools
to
map
impact
on
further
antigenic
SARS-CoV-2,
such
as
cartography,
may
be
helpful
update
SARS-CoV-2
vaccines.
In
this
review,
we
focus
highlighting
protein
individually
and
combination
immune
escape.
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
15(1)
Published: Feb. 29, 2024
Abstract
The
XBB.1.5
variant
of
SARS-CoV-2
has
rapidly
achieved
global
dominance
and
exhibits
a
high
growth
advantage
over
previous
variants.
Preliminary
reports
suggest
that
the
success
stems
from
mutations
within
its
spike
glycoprotein,
causing
immune
evasion
enhanced
receptor
binding.
We
present
binding
studies
demonstrate
retention
contacts
with
human
ACE2
striking
decrease
in
to
mouse
due
revertant
R493Q
mutation.
Despite
extensive
antibody
binding,
we
highlight
region
on
protein
domain
(RBD)
is
recognized
by
serum
antibodies
donor
hybrid
immunity,
collected
prior
emergence
variant.
T
cell
assays
reveal
frequencies
spike-specific
CD4
+
CD8
cells
amongst
donors
skewed
towards
Th1
phenotype
having
attenuated
effector
cytokine
secretion
as
compared
ancestral
protein-specific
cells.
Thus,
while
retained
efficient
gained
antigenic
alterations,
it
remains
susceptible
recognition
induced
via
vaccination
infection.
Communications Biology,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
6(1)
Published: Oct. 17, 2023
Utilization
of
human
ACE2
allowed
several
bat
coronaviruses
(CoVs),
including
the
causative
agent
COVID-19,
to
infect
humans
directly
or
via
intermediate
hosts.
However,
determinants
species-specific
differences
in
usage
and
frequency
ability
animal
CoVs
use
are
poorly
understood.
Here
we
applied
VSV
pseudoviruses
analyze
Spike
proteins
from
26
receptors
across
nine
reservoir,
potential
We
show
that
SARS-CoV-2
Omicron
variants
evolved
towards
more
efficient
but
mutation
R493Q
BA.4/5
XBB
disrupts
utilization
Greater
horseshoe
bats.
Variations
residues
31,
41
354
govern
by
coronaviral
proteins.
Mutation
T403R
allows
RaTG13
CoV
efficiently
all
orthologs
for
viral
entry.
Sera
COVID-19
vaccinated
individuals
neutralize
various
Sarbecoviruses.
Our
results
define
receptor
diverse
suggest
vaccination
may
protect
against
future
zoonoses
coronaviruses.
The Journal of Chemical Physics,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
160(5)
Published: Feb. 2, 2024
The
binding
of
the
receptor
domain
(RBD)
SARS-CoV-2
spike
protein
to
host
cell
angiotensin-converting
enzyme
2
(ACE2)
is
first
step
in
human
viral
infection.
Therefore,
understanding
mechanism
interaction
between
RBD
and
ACE2
at
molecular
level
critical
for
prevention
COVID-19,
as
more
variants
concern,
such
Omicron,
appear.
Recently,
atomic
force
microscopy
has
been
applied
characterize
free
energy
landscape
RBD-ACE2
complex,
including
estimation
distance
transition
state
bound
state,
xu.
Here,
using
a
coarse-grained
model
replica-exchange
umbrella
sampling,
we
studied
both
wild
type
Omicron
subvariants
BA.1
XBB.1.5
interacting
with
ACE2.
In
agreement
experiment,
find
that
have
similar
xu
values,
but
binds
strongly
than
type,
having
lower
dissociation
constant
KD.
Frontiers in Virology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
4
Published: July 19, 2024
The
emergence
of
SARS-CoV-2
lineages
derived
from
Omicron,
including
BA.2.86
(nicknamed
“Pirola”)
and
its
relative,
JN.1,
has
raised
concerns
about
their
potential
impact
on
public
personal
health
due
to
numerous
novel
mutations.
Despite
this,
predicting
implications
based
solely
mutation
counts
proves
challenging.
Empirical
evidence
JN.1’s
increased
immune
evasion
capacity
in
relation
previous
variants
is
mixed.
To
improve
predictions
beyond
what
possible
counts,
we
conducted
extensive
silico
analyses
the
binding
affinity
between
RBD
different
(Wuhan-Hu-1,
BA.1/B.1.1.529,
BA.2,
XBB.1.5,
BA.2.86,
JN.1)
neutralizing
antibodies
vaccinated
or
infected
individuals,
as
well
human
angiotensin-converting
enzyme
2
(ACE2)
receptor.
We
observed
no
statistically
significant
difference
JN.1
other
variants.
Therefore,
conclude
that
new
have
pronounced
escape
infection
compared
However,
minor
reductions
for
both
ACE2
were
noted
JN.1.
Future
research
this
area
will
benefit
structural
memory
B-cell
should
emphasize
importance
choosing
appropriate
samples
studies
assess
protection
provided
by
vaccination
infection.
Moreover,
fitness
benefits
genomic
variation
outside
need
be
investigated.
This
contributes
understanding
variants’
health.
Viruses,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
15(6), P. 1398 - 1398
Published: June 20, 2023
The
Omicron
variants
of
SARS-CoV-2
have
emerged
as
the
dominant
strains
worldwide,
causing
COVID-19
pandemic.
Each
subvariant
contains
at
least
30
mutations
on
spike
protein
(S
protein)
compared
to
original
wild-type
(WT)
strain.
Here
we
report
cryo-EM
structures
trimeric
S
proteins
from
BA.1,
BA.2,
BA.3,
and
BA.4/BA.5
subvariants,
with
BA.4
BA.5
sharing
same
mutations,
each
in
complex
surface
receptor
ACE2.
All
three
receptor-binding
domains
BA.2
are
"up",
while
BA.1
has
two
"up"
one
"down".
BA.3
displays
increased
heterogeneity,
majority
all
RBD
state.
different
conformations
preferences
consistent
their
varied
transmissibility.
By
analyzing
position
glycan
modification
Asn343,
which
is
located
S309
epitopes,
uncovered
underlying
immune
evasion
mechanism
subvariants.
Our
findings
provide
a
molecular
basis
high
infectivity
thereby
offering
insights
into
potential
therapeutic
interventions
against
variants.
Proteins Structure Function and Bioinformatics,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
92(6), P. 705 - 719
Published: Jan. 5, 2024
Abstract
The
omicron
variant
of
severe
acute
respiratory
syndrome
coronavirus
2
(SARS‐CoV‐2)
characterized
by
30
mutations
in
its
spike
protein,
has
rapidly
spread
worldwide
since
November
2021,
significantly
exacerbating
the
ongoing
COVID‐19
pandemic.
In
order
to
investigate
relationship
between
these
and
variant's
high
transmissibility,
we
conducted
a
systematic
analysis
mutational
effect
on
spike–angiotensin‐converting
enzyme‐2
(ACE2)
interactions
explored
structural/energy
correlation
key
mutations,
utilizing
reliable
coarse‐grained
model.
Our
study
extended
beyond
receptor‐binding
domain
(RBD)
trimer
through
comprehensive
modeling
full‐length
rather
than
just
RBD.
free‐energy
calculation
revealed
that
enhanced
binding
affinity
protein
ACE2
receptor
is
correlated
with
increased
structural
stability
isolated
thus
explaining
heightened
transmissibility.
conclusion
was
supported
our
experimental
analyses
involving
expression
purification
trimer.
Furthermore,
energy
decomposition
established
those
electrostatic
make
major
contributions
this
effect.
We
categorized
into
four
groups
an
analytical
framework
can
be
employed
studying
future
mutations.
Additionally,
calculations
rationalized
reduced
towards
most
available
therapeutic
neutralizing
antibodies,
when
compared
wild
type.
By
providing
concrete
data
offering
solid
explanation,
contributes
better
understanding
theories
observations
lays
foundation
for
investigations.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: March 4, 2024
Coronaviruses
display
versatile
receptor
usage,
yet
in-depth
characterization
of
coronaviruses
lacking
known
identities
has
been
impeded
by
the
absence
feasible
infection
models.
Here,
we
developed
an
innovative
strategy
to
engineer
functional
customized
viral
receptors
(CVRs).
The
modular
design
relies
on
building
frameworks
comprising
various
function
modules
and
generating
specific
epitope-targeting
binding
domains.
We
showed
key
factors
for
CVRs
efficiently
facilitate
spike
cleavage,
membrane
fusion,
pseudovirus
entry,
authentic
virus
amplification
coronaviruses,
resembling
their
native
receptors.
Applying
this
strategy,
delineated
accessible
epitopes
SARS-CoV-2
CVR
elucidated
mechanism
entry
supported
amino-terminus
domain
(NTD)
targeting
S2L20-CVR.
Furthermore,
created
CVR-expressing
cells
assessing
antibodies
inhibitors
against
12
representative
from
six
subgenera,
most
which
Notably,
a
pan-sarbecovirus
sarbecoviruses,
as
well
replicable
HKU3
strain
RsHuB2019A.
Through
combining
HKU5-specific
with
reverse
genetics,
successfully
rescued
cultured
wild-type
fluorescence
protein-incorporated
HKU5,
receptor-unidentified
merbecovirus.
Our
study
demonstrated
great
potential
in
establishing
receptor-independent
models,
paving
way
studying
viruses
that
are
challenging
culture
due
lack
susceptible
cells.